How long does prediabetes take to turn into diabetes?

Written by Lin Xiang Dong

Endocrinology

Updated on August 31, 2024

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How long it takes for prediabetes to progress into diabetes varies, with no definitive answer, as it differs from person to person. Whether prediabetes will develop into diabetes largely depends on blood sugar control. Clinical experience shows that some individuals never progress to diabetes after adjusting their diet and exercise routines. However, if a patient does not take their condition seriously and fails to change their lifestyle, it might take as little as 2-3 years or as long as 5-10 years to develop into diabetes. Therefore, it is crucial to manage lifestyle promptly upon prediabetes diagnosis, paying attention to blood sugar monitoring and pancreatic function tests.

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Written by Li Hui Zhi

Endocrinology

51sec

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Diabetic foot prevention care

First of all, it's important to keep blood sugar under control. It's recommended that people with diabetes check their glycated hemoglobin every three months to see if their blood sugar levels meet the standards. Second, many patients suffer from diabetic foot due to severe diabetic peripheral neuropathy. Injuries such as stepping on a nail or accidental bumps may lead to infections. Therefore, it's suggested that patients with diabetes check their feet daily for any small wounds or ulcers, and if found, they should seek timely treatment from an endocrinology specialist. Third, using warm water for foot baths and treatments like local infrared lamp therapy are advised. It's important to ensure that the temperature is not too high, generally around 40 degrees Celsius, to avoid burning the skin.

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Written by Tang Zhuo

Endocrinology

1min 12sec

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Gestational diabetes symptoms

During pregnancy, there are two scenarios concerning diabetes: one is where diabetes is diagnosed before pregnancy, referred to as pregestational diabetes combined with pregnancy. The other scenario is where the sugar metabolism is normal before pregnancy, or there is an underlying reduced glucose tolerance, and diabetes appears or is diagnosed during pregnancy, also known as gestational diabetes. Over 80% of diabetic pregnant women have gestational diabetes. Typically, gestational diabetes doesn't show clear symptoms of the classic "three polys and one less" - excessive drinking, eating, urination, and weight loss. Some women with gestational diabetes may experience itching of the vulva, caused by repeated infections with Candida albicans. Additionally, gestational diabetes may lead to conditions like fetal macrosomia and polyhydramnios during pregnancy, and pregnant women with gestational diabetes are more prone to infections.

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Written by Lin Xiang Dong

Endocrinology

42sec

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Gestational diabetes indicators

Gestational diabetes refers to the absence of a diabetes history before pregnancy, but during pregnancy screening (Tang screening), blood sugar abnormalities are discovered. At this point, the diagnosis of gestational diabetes is made. The criteria for diagnosing gestational diabetes are based on a diabetes screening test conducted at 24-28 weeks. If the fasting blood glucose is ≥5.1, one-hour blood glucose is ≥10.0, or two-hour blood glucose is ≥8.5, meeting any one of these criteria is sufficient for a gestational diabetes diagnosis.

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Written by Li Hui Zhi

Endocrinology

41sec

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Early symptoms of type 2 diabetes

The typical symptoms of type 2 diabetes are referred to as "three excesses and one deficiency." The three excesses include excessive thirst and dry mouth, increased appetite with frequent hunger, and increased urination. The one deficiency refers to weight loss; these are the more typical symptoms. Some patients might often find out about their elevated blood sugar during routine health checks at work. Others may seek medical advice due to issues like skin itchiness or wounds that heal poorly after injury. Some might mainly experience numbness in their hands and feet, or blurred vision among other symptoms.

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Written by Tang Zhuo

Endocrinology

1min 31sec

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Does type 2 diabetes have a genetic component?

Diabetes has a high prevalence worldwide, especially type 2 diabetes, which accounts for over 90% of all cases. The pathogenesis of type 2 diabetes is very complex, including genetic susceptibility, as well as environmental factors, insulin resistance, and defects in the function of pancreatic beta cells. Thus, environmental factors are one of the influencing factors in the incidence of type 2 diabetes. There is evidence showing a familial clustering tendency among patients, but genetic factors are not the sole cause of type 2 diabetes; environmental factors also play a role. With changes in diet and lifestyle in recent years, the prevalence of type 2 diabetes has noticeably increased. Even with similar genetic backgrounds, the risk of developing type 2 diabetes varies among populations living in different areas. Therefore, diabetes can be considered a complex disease, where individuals with a genetic predisposition to diabetes, under the influence of adverse environmental conditions, can also develop elevated blood sugar levels and consequently diabetes.